Update 2:53 p.m.:
The Connecticut Department of Social Services has issued the following update on its previous news release:
"The Department of Social Services was notified shortly before 2 p.m. by our electronic benefit transfer contractor that service has been restored in Connecticut and other states.
"This means that SNAP (food stamps) and cash assistance recipients can use their EBT cards to access benefits, as normal."
Original article:
The Connecticut Department of Social Services issued the following news release:
Connecticut is one of ten states hit today with a computer breakdown in distributing public assistance benefits.
The Department of Social Services was notified this morning by its electronic benefit transfer (EBT) contractor of a service disruption due to computer problems.
This means: currently, DSS public assistance recipients cannot use debit-style ‘EBT’ cards to access benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamp) or cash assistance programs.
The system disruption was reported by J.P. Morgan Electronic Financial Services, the contractor used by Connecticut and several other states to operate the EBT system.
Other states affected, according to J. P. Morgan: New York, Florida, Indiana, South Carolina, West Virginia, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania (as well as U.S. Virgin Islands).
JPMorgan is working to restore the system and will keep states informed today of its progress.
